Act 10 hearing unlikely

On the heels of a vote in Ohio on collective bargaining, where citizens rejected provisions similar to what’s now the law in Wisconsin, Kenosha County Senator Bob Wirch is calling for a public hearing of the Committee on Labor, which is chaired by Racine County Senator Van Wanggaard, to reverse course. “Over 60 percent of the people in Ohio said that they wanted collective bargaining rights for workers in that state. I believe there would be similar response on that question in Wisconsin, and it’s time to have a public hearing,” said Wirch. The Democrat claims Wisconsin’s budgetary woes have been fixed, and the changes in Act 10 are no longer needed. “I believe the Republicans are guilty of overreaching, busting unions in this state, and after seeing what happened in Ohio I believe the least Van Wanggaard can do is give a public hearing to this important bill.”

Wanggaard said the changes to collective bargaining came after the longest debate in Wisconsin history, and labeled the call for another hearing a politically motivated rehash. “My constituents are tired of the political ‘gotcha’ games and the partisan fighting that’s going on. I am committed to their goal of bringing more family supporting jobs to Racine and to Wisconsin,” the Republican said. “While others are apparently only interested in scoring points with their political base, my top priority is job creation.” Wanggaard said arguing the people’s voices haven’t been heard is “ludicrous.”